Basic beliefs associated with the major paradigms

Basic Beliefs Associated With the Major Paradigms Basic Beliefs Postpositivism Constructivism Transformative Pragmatic Axiology(nature of ethical behavior) Respect privacy; informed consent; minimize.

Basic Beliefs Associated With the Major Paradigms Basic Beliefs Postpositivism Constructivism Transformative Pragmatic

Axiology(nature

of ethical

behavior)

Respect privacy;

informed consent;

minimize harm (beneficence);

justice/equal opportunity

Balanced representation

of views; raise participants’

awareness;

community rapport

Respect for cultural norms;

beneficence is defined in terms of the promotion of human rights and increase in social justice;

reciprocity

Gain knowledge in pursuit of desired ends as influenced

by the researcher’s values and politics

Ontology

(nature of

reality)

One reality;

knowable within

a specified level

of probability

Multiple, socially constructed realities

Rejects cultural relativism;

recognizes that various versions

of reality are based

on social positioning;

conscious recognition

of consequences

of privileging versions of reality

Asserts that there

is single reality and that all individuals have their own unique interpretation of reality

Epistemology

(nature of

knowledge;

Objectivity

is important;

the researcher

Interactive link between researcher

Interactive link between researcher

Relationships

in research are determined

relation

between

knower and

would-be

known)

manipulates and observes in a dispassionate, objective manner

and participants;

values are made explicit; created findings

and participants;

knowledge is socially and historically situated;

need to address issues of power and trust

by what the researcher deems as appropriate to that particular study

Methodology

(approach

to systematic

inquiry

Quantitative (primarily);

interventionist;

decontextualized

Qualitative (primarily);

hermeneutical;

dialectical;

contextual factors are described

Qualitative (dialogic), but quantitative and

mixed methods can be

used; contextual and

historical factors are

described, especially as they relate to oppression

Match methods to specific questions and purposes of research; mixed methods can be used as researcher works back and forth between various approaches

SOURCE: Adapted from Guba & Lincoln (1994, 2005) and Morgan (2007).